Electrical conduit



Dec. 15, 1936. p. ELDER 2,064,199 n ELECTRICAL CONDUIT f y Filed May 2l,1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. l5, 1936. P. ELDER 2,064,199

ELECTRICAL CONDUIT Filed May 21, 119:52 3 sneet's-vsneet s Patented Dec.15, 1936 f GFFICB l ELECTRICAL coNnm'r Paul Elder, Chicago, Ill.,assigner to Roy D. Lamond, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 21, 1932, Serial No. 612,675

6 Claims.

This invention relates in general to electrical conduits, that is,conduits for containing electrical conductors, the invention relatingspecially to. improvements in conduits whereby connection with theelectrical conductors thereof may be made at substantially any pointwithin the dimensions of the conduits, that is to say, the conduit is ofsuch construction as to permit of the insertion of a connecting plug orthe like at desired convenient points'without the necessity of havingseparate and individual outlets.

While the invention is illustrated and described as particularlyincorporated in an electrical'conduit having an external configurationof a Wall molding, such, for example, as may bc conveniently applied tothe baseboard of a room, it will be understood that the invention iscapable of other analogous uses and, therefore, finds a wide field ofutility.

Heretofore, the practice in installing electrical conductors for thepurpose of electrical outlets to which portable apparatus may beattached, such, for e ple, as oor'lamps, radio receiving sets and elike, has been to place these conductors in the wall of a building orroom, and, at spaced points about the room, provide, in the baseboard orthe like immediately adjacent thereto, one or aplurality of outletsockets into which a separable plug may be connected by a suitableexternal conductor or conductors to the apparatus which it is desired tosupply with current. This results quite often either-not enough outletsare provided in a room, or they are inconveniently placed so that itrequires the furnishmg -of extra lengths 0f electrical Wire to reachfrom the outlet to the apparatus to be operated, and this often resultsin an unsatisfactory arrangement of wiring on the floor of the room oralong the baseboard. Furthermore, it often 'resuits in conductors beingexposed Where they must be removed when the room is cleaned, and oftenpersons will trip over Ythe conductors, resulting either in breaking theconductor and blowing a fuse or in upsetting the lamp or'other apparatuswhich may be attached to the outlet.

With the present invention, it is p ossible to have the entire moldingof a room, except at the doorways thereof, provided with this inventionso that relatively short lengths of external conductors may be employed,and, if desired, in new installations in buildings in course ofconstruction, the entire molding may be installeddcontaining applicantsinvention; in existing buildings, portions of the wooden molding n ow inplace may be removed and applicants electrical molding substitutedtherefor.

With the foregoing in mind, the principal objects and advantages ofapplicants invention reside in the provision of an improved electrical(ci. 24v-Ys) l conduit containing therequired conductors and l providedwith an outlet opening whereby,l these conductors may be reached with aseparable plug ,atv substantially fa'ny 'point from oneend of theconduit to the other; the provision of an electrical conduit -havingsubstantially the external contour of a conventional wall molding; theprovision of an external conduitofv the character described in which'theconductors are adequately protected `against exposure to moisture, dustor against the simultaneous contact with metal instruments which may beinserted. into,y the molding either accidentally or deliberately; theprovision of an electrical conduity of the` character referred to inwhich the opening therein is,

se arranged that liquid, suche-asy paint, Water or the like, which maybe applied to the walls for cleaning, etc., cannot enter the conduitinwhich the conductors are so located, andthat, if', a screw driver orother metal instrument is insertedvfor the` purpose of applying orremoving the molding or for replacing the retaining screws .or the like,simultaneous contact with. the `exposed and uninsulated conductorscontained, therein cannot take place; the provision of an improvedelectrical conduit in which the structure thereof is substantiallyreproof and waterproof; and the provision, in connection with theimproved electrical conduit of this inventionof an improved form ofconnecting plug facilitating contact with the electrical conductors forsupply-A ing` current to apparatus which it is desiredv .to operatethereby.. A p

This invention also has, as objects thereof, the provision in anelectrical conduit of an improved arrangement of the sections thereofwhereby connection with the conductors fromv the line inside of the wallmay be facilitated; so that said conductors at all times arev containedwithin a iireproof and waterproof `in, sul'ating casing; the provisioninan .electrical conduit, of an improved adapter for connecting the`terminals of ,the conduit to yelectrical conduits Within the Walls of abuilding; and the provision of an improved form of adapterfor connectingadjoining sections of the conduit with each other and with conductorswithin a wall of the building. i i 'Ihis invention also includes a novelconstruction of the adapters referred to hereinbefore in that the bodyportions of the casingsthereof are so constructed as to beformed ofsingle' blanks of vsheet metalwhich may be Stamped and -then formed intothe desired shapes.

Theforegoing and such` other objects and advantages as may appear or bepointed out as this description proceeds are attained inthe severalstructural embodiments of `the invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, vin which: f

Figure 1 is an elevational view offthis inven` tion applied to abaseboard as a moldingelement thereof;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, taken on the line 2-2of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the farrows;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of this invention showing animproved form of adapter and corner piece; y

Figure 4. is an enlarged sectional view of an adapter for connectingadjoining sections of the conduit and for connecting the conductorsthereof to the line conductors within a -wall of the building;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the improved. conduit of thisinvention, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 6 looking in the directionindicated by the arrows;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a conduit vwith the endclosure therefor;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 lofFigure 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the electricalconduit of this invention installed as a section of existing molding ona baseboard; Y,

Figure 9 is an elevational view of the end adapter member for connectingthe-conductors of the conduit to line conductors within a wall.

Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional y view, taken on the line I0--I0of Figure 9, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing the hole of theconnecting plug in` end elevation as applied to the conduit, and is asection taken on the line II-II of Figure 12;

Figure 12 is a-sectional view of the plug member and conduit taken onthe line `I2--I2 of `Figure 11;

Figure 13 is an enlarged elevational view of a metal blank Afrom whichone of the elements of this invention is constructed;

Figure 14 is an elevational view of a detail; and

vFigures 15, 16 and V1'7 are, respectively, elevational views ofadditional blanks for forming certain insulating elements of thisinvention.

Referring now more particularly tothe draw material. It is customary toapply tothe upper edge v9 of'the baseboard 5 a molding, alsoof wood,shown at I0,I0 in Figure 8. This molding III usually has an externalconfiguration including an enlarged base portion which finishes off thetop'of the baseboard 5. One contour of such a molding which is quitegenerally used is that such as is shown in the cross-section ofmyinvention shown in `Figure 2, although it will be understood that themoldingmay take other shapes so that the conduit of the presentinvention may be made to conform to prevailing shapes of wall molding.

"It will-be understood-that applicants invention may be substituted forthe wooden molding I0, as shownin Figure 1, and which invention isgenerally designated II, or, as shown at II `in Figure 8, my inventionmay be interposed as a section of desired length, displacing one part ofthe molding I0.

The conduit of this v invention includes an outer casing or housingIZhaving al base portion I3 adapted to seat on the upper edge 9 of thebaseboard 5. 'I'his housing I2 is preferably formedof a sturdysheetmetal bent to provide the base portion I3 which at its -outer edge iscurved upwardly, as at I4, and at its inner edge joins with the verticalwall I5 which is adapted to lie against the Wall 8 of a room. The WallI5 is joined with a top portion I5 which is curved inwardly, as at I'I,and outwardly, as at I8, to conform generally to the prevailing shape ofbaseboard molding. `The portion: IB terminates short of the portion I4so that a longitudinal slot or elongated opening I8 is thus afforded inthe outer face of the conduit. It will be observed that the flangeformed by the portion I8 extends slightly beyond a vertical planeintersecting the edge of the #ange formed by the portion I4 so thatthere yis an overlap f thus preventing liquids from entenng the conduitin the 'event that the walls are washed or wall paper is applied orremoved.

Within the housing I2 I provide an insulated Vconduit portion proper,comprising the outer insulated tube 20 and the inner insulated tube 2|,these tubes being formed of a suitable insulating material such as hardfibre board or the like suitably rolled and formed to afford anelongated aperture 22 which is in alignment with the opening I SI in theouter casing or housing I2.

These insulating inner conduits 20 and 2l are secured to the housing I2at convenient intervals by hollow center rivets 23 which are so formedas to provide apertures and countersunk seats for wood screws 23a bywhich the aS- sembled conduit is fastened in place in operativeposition.

It will be observed that the hollow center rivets 23 provide a means forcomplete fabrication of the conduit prior to installation, thus insuring4assembled conduit in place by the wood screws 23a.

'I'he inner 'insulated conduit formed of the tubes 20 and 2| is providedwith a pair of oppositely disposed conductors, these conductors beingbare and uninsulated and arranged in a vertical plane intersecting theplane 'of 'the opening I9 and substantially `at right angles thereto,the conductors being indicated at 24 and 25 and preferably formed offiat or half round stripsl of a hard copper so that said conductors willpossess a certain amount of resiliency. The conductors are secured tothe inner insulated tube 2| by the provision of conveniently spacedrivets,2B and 2I, and thus the outer insulated tube 20 of this conduitwill serve to prevent contact of said rivets with the metallic housingI2.

It will beobserved fromV an inspection of Figure 5 that the conductorsare so dilposed within Athehousing and inner insulated conduit thataccess to these conductors cannot be had simultaneously by any ordinaryscrew driver or tool likely to beinserted into the conduit for normaluses. It will be observed that even though a child should insert itsfingers into the conduit `that,`at best,r contact can be had with onlyone of the 'conductors 'at a time, which ordinarily does not injure one.

' The preferred method of manufacturing the conduit I find to beto firstapply the conductors,

properly spaced, to a fiat strip of fibre which is later rolled to formthe inner tube 2|, which is properly accomplished by rolling this `stripon amandrel or the like in the presence of heat such as steam. The outertube 2U may then be which is shown in Figures 5 and 6. Here the end capis provided with an outer metallic end Wall 28 which is providedwith aperipheral wall' 29 conforming generally in shape to the cross sectionof the casing i2. This outer end Wall28 is provided with an innerinsulating portion 30 which is adapted to abut'the end of the innerconduit 2U, 2|. conduit comprising the outer casing |2 and the innertube 20, 2| may be cut to the desired length and then the closing cap 28applied,\ it being noted that the peripheral wall 23 may be offset sothat it may be inserted into the metallic housing I2. A disc 3| ofinsulating material is secured by rivets 32 to the insulating wall 30and this disc-fits within the inner tube 2| and is provided with notches33 for accommodating the adjacent ends of the conductors 24 and 25. Theend closing cap 28 is also shown at each end of the conduit section inFigure 8.

It will be understood by those skilled in. the art that the conduitsections maycome in normal lengths of 6 or 10 feet and that. in someinstances, itvmay be desiredtohave greater lengths. This maybeaccomplished by joining two 6-foot. or two` 10-foot lengths, and, forthis purpose, I provide the junction-section or adapter best shown in'Figures 3 and '1. stance the adapter comprises an outer casingr 35having substantially the same dimensions and configuration as that ofthe casing |2 except that no slot is provided in-these sections, theopposite ends of thecasing or housing35 being reduced in dimension, .asindicated at 36a and 31a, so that these ends may be inserted into theadjoining ends of the casing sections |2, l2 shown in Figure 7. Theadapter shown in Figure3, `indicated at 35a, is employedat. a corner ofa room and may 'serve' the same function as the adapter 35 shown inFigure 7,. but the adapter- 35a is further modied as indicated in as toabut the endsof tubes 2n and 2| of theV main conduit sections when theadapter connector is in place. In this instance, the conductors 40 and4| contained within the inner 'y tube 36,-,31 aresecuredtheretoby rivets62, `43,

f. y.the opposite. 1 'f ends; c :being formed 1 .witlrgspring as tofacilitate their engagement and contact-with It will beobserved thatthe.l

n nalffzinsulated#icondnltri section-=thefadjacenttends-oithe=conductorsf24 andi25 of adjoiningV conduitsections.vv The vspringy tongues* 44 and 45 areof sufficient'springstrengthtof formintimate contact. with i the :adjoining conductorsandy thus preventv interruption Vof ,the circuit at this point due to.vibration. M

The. conductor coupling Imember 35a,` shown in Figure 3, has thesamearrangement of spring tongue conductor members las shown'in Figure 7,but one o'f these conductor -elements being shownv in Figure 3 andy'inditmteti at l4| ll and,44a

tending to and connecting with the` complei mental Vconductor 4|a asindicated at 50.-"The line; conductors 5| may 'be connected to "thestrap conductors 49,'as shownv in" Figurel 4, vit

being `understood that. the laterally extending tubular portion 41passes througha suitable opening in the wall forconnectiontdlinec'onv(luctors, and is formed from ra ,blank similartothat of Figure l13 .and provided with ajunction box vfor connection tothe conventional' con- -ductor cable asdescribed.hereafter'in/connection with Figure 9. u f

- Revertingfto Figure 3,it will obvserved'thatl this figure vdisclosesa'. cornerv coupling ork adapter.; -by which the conduits mounted. onangularly related walls of ai room may be` connectedlsIn' this case theadapter comprises an outercasing or housing 52-v havingthe angularlyrelated por- 1 .tions 53 and 54-,one".of' which isv adapted-:to receivethe adjacentend of one of. the coupling adapters 35a.'V -In vanoriginal'.installation, of course, it is possible to form one endof thecasin'g' 52 so as to be inserted directly'into' the, ad- -joiningconduit section vand toprovide spring conductors inthe casing 52'similar to.v .those shown at 4|a in the adapter35a. "*This'has the 'ydesirable vadvantage .that it eliminates. the

adapter at-this point'. A possible `modification f of the adapter52-fforthisV purpose is. shoxivn,=at'-- the upperleft end-of Flgure,V.the -leftendfof tors 4|a. o

It is intended that Figurev 3 illustratetwopossible forms of the cor'neradapter;that-istosay,

as atv 51 similar 'Vito the- `conducone end of the adapter 52' is'arranged-'5toicon-lnect with a coupling-'section 35a and the "other endis arrangedfo'r direct connection tov aconduit section v|2 and it k'willbe understood that the l corner adapter maybe constructedin either' waydesired. l i y. When the corner adapterismade as .a' conduit 'sectionasthe .portion 54 oft Figure 3 it'is pro- :vided with. the slot aslat:58 `for the insertion'of azconnecting plug.. The casing andinsulatingtubes` would thenl be fastened togetherby' hollow 4centerrivets 59 andthe assembled :conduit fas tened to the wall by Wood screws 5Saifnthesame manner asfor a standard conduit section as above described. l l fWhen the corner adapter is made as an adapt-3y y cr section,- theconstruction .is as above described for the adapter 35. frftongues44s44`and'=;.45,' 45,:.whichare lshaped-.vso

.. 'i i 1 lThe corner .adaptenissprovided withrfthe in er- Vthe fportionv53 vbeing reduced .in-'.'dimensiom asv shown at 55, forreception intheadjacent-.end of the conduit section --.|2,. theconductors 155i invsaid'corner adapter, only "one of which-is shown.

. ,-50 vbeing extended nbre in each instance rolled and then bentfasindicated st 8|,.to formf'the 'right insular section shown. or any onedesired.

For establishing 'connection with the conductors in the conduit, I haveprovided a special type of plug member shown-best vin Figures 2, l1 and12. v

The connecting plug comprises a handle portion, designated 82 ingFiguresll and 12, provided with a longitudinally extending neck or shank 63,which is insertedinto and through the slots I8 and 22 formedfinthehousing |2 and conduit sections 20, 2|.

This shank or neck 53 is formed with alterminal carrying heed 64, onetransverse dimension-of which is substantially the same as that of thediameter of the shank 63, another dimension of said terminal head beingsufllcientfto bring terminals carried thereby into intimate contact withthe opposite conductors and 25 within the conduit when saidplug isrotated.

The handle portion 52, shank 83 and head 64 are all preferably castintegrally of some standard and well approved insulating material such,for example. as bakelite, hard rubber or the like, and a bore isprovidedy through which the twin connecting cable .88 containing. theconductors 81 and 88 may extend,'this cable being `extended from theplug to any desiredy apparatus to be operated.4 The ends of theconductors 81 and 88 are brought out through `the head and are connectedby cap screws 69, 10 to lugs 1| -and 12 carried y.by metallic. terminalmembers 13 and 14 whichare preferably of a spring character and formedwith spaced ridges 15 and 18 which, when the headis rotated, re-

ceive the conductors 24 and 25 therebetween, as best shown in Figure 12.These terminal members are secured by embedding rivets 11 and 18 in theopposite sides of the head 64. It will be observed that, due to thespring nature of the terminal members 18 and 14, and the cooperativeeffect of the ridges`15 and Y'16, that, when said head is rotated tobring the terminal intoengagement with the conductors, thevfrictionalengagement thereby will prevent accidental dislodgement of To furtherinsure the retention-of the plug against accidental displacement, theshank" may be of such length that the handle 82 will abut the flange |8and thus further tend to prevent undesired rotation of the head 64 orlateral displacement of the plug in the conduit. The handle member .62may have a portion thereof flattened as indicated at 82a.

A further alternative form of the plug is additionally shown inFigure-2. vHere the handle portion B2b is made substantially cylindrical andprovided with internal terminal members 62d similar to the conventionalform of plug and socket, the outer portion` 62c being provided withtongue Amembers v80.which are adapted to engage the terminal memberswithin the handle 62h, the plug member 62e being separable from thehandle to permit of substitution of a new plug member in the event thatthe handle 62h should become broken by furniture being moved against thesame, or `the like. Another advantage of this construction is that thevbody and shank of the plug being made of insulating material permits theuse of uninsulated conductors therein placed in individual bores, asshown.

In somev installations the end closure member shown in Figure 6 may bemodified, as shown in Figures 9 and l0, in-which instance this `end vofthe vWall |04. provided with lugs or flanges |02a which are adapted tobe folded down against vthe walls |03 elt'luro member, indicated at 8|and provided *with the spring conductor tongi. 83 and,

may be formed with a laterally extending` hous-` ing forming a conduitportion k84 having strap conductors 85 and 86 riveted in position, as at81, to an insulating lining 88. 'The electrical,

conductors 89 and'90 are connectedto the inner f ends of the strapconductors 85 and 86, and the laterally extending housing 84 is providedwith an inner enlarged portion forminga junction box 85a suitablyapertured, as at 9|, to receive 'the inner end of a standard BX cable913k 9 andlO is additionally shown in Figures 13.and

14 wherein the main body portions 8|, `04and 85a 'thereof are formedfrom substantially asingle blank of metal.

This blank of metal comprises the end wall portion 95 formed with an`outer peripheral portion 96 which, when formed and shaped alongthelines 91, 9 8 and 99, will assume the shape shown at the right inFigure 9 toafford the end closuremember 8|. 1

The end portion 95 is integrally connected with a side wall portion|00which forms one of the walls of the trough-like conduit portion84,.this wail-|00 having flanges |0| and |02 on the marginsthereofwhich, when bent at rightl anglesfto the wall 00, form the trough-likeconduit portion 84." The wall at |00 is extended to form an end closingwall |02 forming Apart of the junction box 85a,the other walls of thisjunction box being comprised in the lugs |03 and |04A formed in theside'blank. The member |03 is extended to provide an end closing wall|05 for thejunction box 85a and is bent at right angles to the wall r|03which is, in turn, bent at right `angles to the wall |00 sothat it is inthe same plane as the flange or side wall |0|. l To facilitate retentionof the BX cable in the box 85a, the aperture 9| is formed by a pluralityof intersecting slits indicated all |06 in ythe wall |05. which arepushed inwardly, as shown at 9| in Figure l0.V

rThe tongues thus formed by the slits |06will Y yieldingly impinge onthe convolutions of the BX cable andthus tend to prevent same from ibeing withdrawn'when once inserted.

The opposite wall |0| is provided with the lug |04 forming a wallcomplemental to the wall |03 andthe clamp shown in Figure 9 is formed,bya tongue |01 havinga laterally extending entured wall |05 is providedwith a plurality oftongues |050. and tongue |06a, the tongues |05a beingbentk into abutment with the outer edges v The rear closing wall |02 isand |04 and thus form a box-like structure such as that shown in Figures9 and l0 and indicated at 85a. VIn order to connect ythe edges |0311.and

|04a of the walls 03 and |04 across the outer edges of the walls |0|, Iprovide a tongue |.|0 having anextending lug this tongue `being bent onthe line |04a which is one edge of the wall |04, and the lug being bentaround the edge |03a. l

when this biankis formed into the shape shown in Figures 9 and 10, anopening, indicated at 84a in Figure 9 will be produced, and this openingis then closed by a separable cover member ||2 shown in Figure 14, theedges of the cover ||2 being provided with tongues ||3 which may be bentto overlie the adjacent edges of the walls IDI of the laterallyextending conduit portion 84. To the inner surface of the closure ||2 issecured an insulating strip II4 which underlies the edge of the wall||0, as indicated at H5 in Figure 10, said insulating strip alsounderlying a ange IIG formed on the peripheral wall 96 of the 'endclosure member 8|, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

This insulating strip I|4 is shown in detail in Figure 17 and isprovided with suitable apertures ||4a by which it may be riveted, asindicated at ||4b, to the closure member II2. The purpose of leaving theopening to be closed by the closure member ||2 is to permit of access tothe conductors 89 and 90 for soldering or otherwise attaching them tothe strip conductors 85 and 86.

The entire housing composed of the sections 8 I 84 and 85a is internallylined with insulating material formed from a blank shown in Figures 15and 16. The inner strip, that is, the strip adjacent to the wall andindicated at ||1 in Figures l0 and 16, includes an elongated shankportion and a head portion ||8 having the general conguration of thecasing portions 8| and 84 so that it ts snugly therein against the wall95 and |00 thereof. This element is riveted at desired intervals to thewall against which the same lies.

Against this insulating lining I|'| there is provided the lining ||9shown in Figure 15 and, as

this' lining is the outer one, it carries auxiliaryk portions whichengage the several angularly related walls and thus adequately insulatesthe metallic portions of the house from the electrical conductorscontained therein. This blank, indicated at II9, is provided with rivetopenings |20 by which it is secured to the strip ||1, and. the two stripconductors 85 and 96 are secured to the strip ||9 by the provision ofrivet holes shown at I2|. The tongue portions 82 and 83 of the stripconductors, of course, extend laterally to the main portion of theconductors and are appropriately shaped to engage with the conductors inan adjoining conduit section. The head portion |22 of the blank |I9 tswithin the casing 8| and the longitudinal portion of the blank,indicated at I I 9, is provided with insulating flanges |23 along theedges thereof which are scorings, as at |24, so that they may be bentinto alignment with the walls |0 At the end of the blank ||9 remote fromthe head |22 are provided spaced scorings I 25 and |26 by which theinsulating strip may be bent to t along the walls |02 and |05.

An additional scoring |21 is provided so that the laterally extendingportion |28 may be bent to fit the wall |03 anda laterally extendingtongue |29 which is scored at |30 may be bent to fit along the wall |I0.It will .thus be seen that all of the exposed metallic walls of theinner surface of the end connector composed of the housings 8|, 84 and85a may be completely covered with an insulating lining which preventscontact of this metallic casing with any of the electrical conductorscontained therein.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a conduit for electrical conductors, an outer casing, an innercylindrical tubular struc- `ture of insulating material carryingelectrical conductors, said casing and tubular structure being open atone end, and a closure forsaid end having a wall adapted to engage theouter casing, and an insulating plug member adapted to enter and closesaid inner tubular structure.

2. In a conduit for electrical conductors, an outer casing, an innercylindrical tubular structure of insulating material carryingdiametrically oppositely disposed electrical conductors, said casing andtubular structure being open at one end, and a closure for said endhaving a wall adapted to engage the outer casing, and aninsulatingiAplug member adapted to enter and close said iriner tubular structure andengage between said conductors for maintaining their adjacent ends inspaced relationship. I 3. In an electrical conduit, in combination, anormally expansible housing providedl with an elongated opening and anenlarged internal passageway containing electrical conductors havingoppositely disposed exposed portions, a rotatable connecting pluginsertable at any point along said opening provided with conductors andhaving a head provided with oppositely disposed terminals adapted forcontact with and to impinge upon said oppositely disposed exposedportions of said conduit conductors -upon insertion of said head intosaid conduit and partial rotation of said head thereinv whereby saidplug is retained by compression between said conduit conductors.

4. An' electrical connecting lplug including a ing conduit having spacedexposed conductors in opposed relation, said connecting plug may bemoved through an arc of 90 degrees about the axis of said cylindricalshank and said terminal contact members on the ends of said head bebrought into engagement with said conductors.

5. In an electrical conduit, in combination, an outer casing having `acontinuous longitudinal opening of uniform section a tube ofdielectricmaterial in said casing comprising inner and outer nested portions, saidtube having a continuous slot registering withthe longitudinal openingin ysaid outer casing, and exposed conductors mounted in diametricallyopposed spaced relation on the inner of said nested portions andarranged on opposite sides of said opening and slot. 6. A couplingmember for a conduit including a head portion having an open side foraxial engagement with a conduit, a'housing extending laterally withrespect to said open side andattached to said head, a junction boxformed on PAUL EIDER.

